unbiased info on specific builder
Question: My wife and I and in the process of buying our first house and are currently evaluating specific custom and semi-custom builders. We intend to build and have been visiting the builders sales centers, looking at models, etc. It seems as though that each builders brochure and propaganda seems to rate itself the highest in each field. This is true for the smaller custom firms and the large production builders. Now, I’ve done the talking to folks in each neighborhood thing and everybody I’ve talked to says their builder is the best. I get the idea that they are validating their decision when I talk to them. VERY seldom have I gotten a response such as “Yes, I spent $300k for this house and, boy, it is a lemon!! I didn’t do my homework and made a bad decision.” Also, I’ve gotten the Natl. Assoc. of Home Bldrs. (NAHB) publications and guess who it is published by – the builders themselves. And guess how you GET INTO the NAHB..You pay dues. Now here is a organization that makes its builder members pay to get into and publishes a magazine about those builders. Very seldom have I seen any articles that say anything bad about any builder. (Would you bite the hand that feeds you?) So where do I go for inbiased, credible, information that is truly independant??
Answer: I am an exclusive Buyers Agent in the North Central Texas area who helps many of my clients build homes (about 40% of my business).
I agree that it very difficult to obtain unbiased data about builders. My first advice to all my clients is that they should read “Your New House” by Alan and Denise Fields (Windsor Peak Press ISBN:0962655627 $11.95). This book really wipes aside all the fog put out by the trade associations and helps you see all the hoops you have to jump through to build a house. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS BUYING A RESALE PROPERTY. Please consider reading the book.
The next thing I do is put them in touch with a consumer group which tracks bad builders. Here in Texas, a prospective builder needs to do nothing more than hang out a shingle saying “Builder, bring me your money”! If your state requires licencing of builders, check with the state. Check the bankruptcy records. Again, here, builders often go bankrupt one day, keep all the money they have been paid, and open up tomorrow as a new name. I refer my clients to Sick of Bad Builders, who keep such records.
Do a credit check on the builder. It won’t help much, but it may point out the worst ones. If they won’t let you, you don’t have to take them your business.
Don’t ask subs. They depend on the builder for their income. Many times, even if the builder treats them poorly, they won’t rat.
And, last but not least: (This may seem self-serving but it’s not) retain a competent exclusive Buyers Agent. There are not very many of us around, but we can really help you avoid those boobytraps and misinformation that’s out there. You have probably noticed that not everybody in these newsgroups has a very high perception of agents. There are many agents who have contributed to the bad image we have. In many cases the complaints are absolutely true. Find someone with high ethics and moral values. Find one who truly represents the best interests of only one side. If you can’t find a competent ag
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